Former VP Cheney backs Whitman in Calif. gov race

Cheney's endorsement came in an op-ed column published Sunday in the Orange County Register. In it, he said the former eBay chief executive is the only candidate in the race with the leadership skills needed to turn around California's economy.

"America cannot afford to have its largest state teetering on the edge of financial collapse," Cheney wrote. "California needs a proven executive who has the mettle to stand up to the entrenched special interests in Sacramento and cut spending."

Specifically, he praised Whitman's commitment to enacting tax cuts for businesses, reducing the pension benefits of state government workers and reforming the welfare system.

"Meg's conservatism is rooted in the optimism that people can achieve great things if government doesn't stand in their way," Cheney said. "I believe Meg Whitman can do for California what Ronald Reagan did for America."

California accounts for 12 percent of the nation's gross domestic product but has struggled with high unemployment and high home foreclosures for the past three years. The recession has hit its economy hard, leading to a dramatic tumble in the tax revenue coming to state and local governments.

The state faces a $19 billion deficit in the coming fiscal year.

Against that backdrop, Whitman and her opponent in the June 8 GOP primary, state Insurance Commissioner Steve Poizner, have focused on economic issues. But Poizner, who has been trying to catch up to her in the polls, also has made strides with conservatives in recent weeks by attacking Whitman on other issues, including illegal immigration.

He accuses Whitman of favoring amnesty, a charge Whitman denies. In his op-ed column, Cheney sought to counter the perception that Whitman may be soft on the issue, saying "she has a strong and practical approach to securing the border."

Cheney also challenged Poizner as someone who does not always adhere to conservative principles. He wrote that Poizner donated to then-Democratic presidential candidate Al Gore in 2000 and opposed the Iraq war.

In an email response, Poizner spokesman Jarrod Agen said the candidate supported the invasion of Iraq but believes parts of the invasion were bungled. He also said the donations to Gore were made on behalf of Poizner's wife, a Democrat, through the couple's joint checking account.

Poizner was a fellow in the Bush White House working with the National Security Council in 2001 and 2002.

Whitman spokeswoman Sarah Pompei declined to say whether the campaign sought Cheney's endorsement, which was featured prominently Monday on the campaign website.

Cheney's support might help Whitman secure votes in the June 8 Republican primary but also could be a hindrance during the general election. California voters generally held a dim view of the George W. Bush administration.